ACE marksman Neil Whatmore, whose late equaliser at Everton had put Wanderers just 90 minutes away fom the League Cup Final, took his season's total to 17 when he scored two more in the 3-1 derby triumph over Blackburn at Burnden Park.

Peter Reid got the other as Ian Greaves' side took advantage of Chelsea's disappointing home draw with Orient to go within a point of the Pensioners at the top of Division Two.

Greaves, who had banned his players from talking about the League Cup, described the 1-1 midweek draw at Goodison Park as "a victory" since that was how he perceived a draw in the away game of a two-leg tie.

Wanderers were still drooling over the performance of Paul Jones, who had the Toffees' danger man Bob Latchford in his pocket from start to finish.

Meanwhile, winger Willie Morgan had stirred up a storm with critical comments about his former Manchester United manager, Tommy Docherty.

The Reds' boss was seeking legal advce with a view to suing for defamation.

10 YEARS AGO: January 27, 1992

WANDERERS were waiting for Manchester United ten years ago - just as they are today ahead of tomorrow's Premiership game.

A decade ago, however, the Reds had to overcome a tricky tie against Southampton at the Dell before they could visit the Wanderers at Burnden for a sell-out fifth round tie.

For their part, Wanderers made a stuttering start to their fourth round home tie with Brighton but ended with a fighting finish and a little bit of luck.

With the teams level at 1-1, Andy Walker scoring his third goal in his first four apperances before the South Coast club equalised, the tie looked evenly balanced.

Until Paul McCarthy took a hand in the outcome.

For some reason he handled Mark Patterson's harmless looking pass and from the penalty Tony Philliskirk converted his sixth spot kick of the season.

All that was left was for United to beat Saints - but against all the odds they failed and ended Wanderers dream of a Burnden bonanza.

5 YEARS AGO: January 27, 1997

WANDERERS took a break from their promotion ambitions to enjoy a six goal FA Cup romp over Second Division Luton Town.

Yet that was only achieved after some stern words from manager Colin Todd at half-time and the introduction of super sub Alan Thompson into the third round replay.

They made a perfecct start with John McGinlay hitting his 21st goal of the season in the ninth minute but then lost their way and were trailing 2-1 at half-time,

Nathan Blake put them level after Todd's harsh half-time words then the introduction of Thompson transformed the game.

The Geordie scored the next, Blake grabbed another before Thompson provided Pollock with a rare goal while Green wrapped up the scoring in injury time.

That put the Wanderers into the hat for the fourth round, where they were paired with another lower division club, Chesterfield.